Approx. 128 pp. Double-page manuscript map on back of front free endpaper and recto of flyleaf. 12x7.5 cm. (4¾x3”), wallet-style flexible morocco, gilt edges.
Fascinating and revealing day-by-day diary recording a gold-seeker’s life in the northern mines, with a rare manuscript map of Horseshoe Bar, near Foresthill, California, on the Middle Fork of the American River just below today's Oxbow/Ralston Dam. At the beginning of the diary is written “This Book is the property of John J. McKinley 1851, Bought Nevada Jan. 1st, price $1.50 cts. Correct journal kept by me in the gold mines of California…” McKinley has written an entry for every single day, all but 3 or 4 in ink, very legible throughout. At the beginning of each entry, he gives the amount of money he earned that day – sometimes from wages working for another, sometimes his share of the proceeds from mining and panning gold. His success at mining was mixed, and he eventually spent most of his time working for others. His health was often not good, the labor hard, and on Sundays, when he was not working, he was very homesick. A very significant and rare first hand record – diaries kept in the mining districts are much scarcer than those kept on the voyages out, whether by land or by sea. Some entries follow. Thursday, Jan. 16 – $4.55, Rented Louis Chamberlin’s claim on L. Deer creek had to finish striping a fit pay him one fifth till it amounts to fifty dolls. Made $4.30 to my share clear weather. Monday, Jan. 27 – $1.05 All well with the exception of the diggings they are caved in we only made one dollar thirty five cts apiece cloudy weather. Thursday, Feb. 6 – $2.62, Alls well Wm Ashley went prove our prospect on L. Deer creek in the forenoon went on Chamberlin claim in the afternoon… Wednesday, February 12 – $11.05, All well cold weather I hate to go into the water this morning but have to do it… Wednesday, Feb. 26 – $8.00, Moved to Gold Run this morning worked for Rablin today at the pump I have to go again to night till 12 o’clock P.M. for which he gives me $2.50 clear weaker do not feel very well. Wednesday, March 12 - $5.00 Nevada City burnt down this morning at 2 o’clock… went to town in the forenoon pumpt on gold run in the afternoon alls well. Thursday, March 25 – $2.50, Went to work this morning was taken with a chill had to knock off at 11 o’clock went to the Doctor gave me some blue mass and oil very heavy snow falling. Tuesday, April 7 – $5.00 Went to Nevada city this morning to settle with Jim Rablin but did not get the money went to Deer creek sold my pistle for $11.00 rainy day sawed some timber. Friday April 11 – Started this morning for the horse shoe Bar on the middle fork of the American River got there at 2 P.M. but could not do any thing staid all night at Eagle Bar. Wednesday, April 23 – 5 cts. Went out on the Barr prospecting but could not find anything worth working going to give it up till the water falls seen a man carrying a coffin on his back I am much discouraged. Saturday, July 12 – 2.50, Went to work on the dam this morning worked till noon in the afternoon Billy & I went to work to sink a shaft sunk it three feet the river is quite dry a little cloudy today. Friday, July 25 – Making preparation to leave the Horse Shoe Bar to day settling up our business selling our tools etc. cannot make any thing here very discouraging. Sunday, August 31 – Went to Nevada City this morning came home for dinner went back again great entertainment Bull & Grisley Bear Fight saw it Bear killed one Bull… Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Went to work on the Flat to day again for the company hauling Windlass sold the diggings to Crumbacker for $400… Sunday, Oct. 5 – Went to Nevada city this morning trying to settle my business but could not do it saw a bull goar a man at the bear fight.
Condition:
Leather somewhat scuffed and worn, hinge cracked through at front and in the middle of March, dampstaining to latter leaves along the gutter intruding into text, but legible throughout, and very good.